- Security screening time cut in half
- System combines EU and US into one check-point
Shannon Airport says that the new high tech security system they have installed could halve security screening time at airports by combining EU and US into one check-point
The new pre-clearance checkpoint concept, which is on trial at Shannon Airport for a ten week period, was developed as part of the EU funded XP-DITE project.
The new approach being pioneered at Shannon which was Europe’s first US pre-clearance airport. It combines the European and US Pre-clearance checkpoints, replacing the two separate checkpoints which are used at present with just one. The Shannon trial will show how a checkpoint can be designed to comply with two different sets of regulations (EU and the US TSA systems).
This combined checkpoint is the first of its kind in the world and has been designed to improve customer experience. Passengers flying to the US will no longer have to queue up twice for separate security checks.
Ten major airports across Europe and around the world are looking to adopt the pre-clearance approach, which could benefit 20m US-bound passengers per year.
Pre-clearance allows passengers to complete immigration and customs formalities, as well as security screening for US domestic flights, before they travel to the USA. This means that they can land at any airport in the USA, not just the busy International ones, they can take domestic flights without rescreening and their luggage can be checked through to their final destination.
Niall Maloney Airport Operations Director from Shannon Airport said; “Passenger security is of paramount importance to us and being able to trial a new system that combines the highest level of security screening together with a customer focused operation is a win-win. The elimination of the additional security measures in the U.S. Pre-clearance facility in particular is a significant advancement in improving both our passengers and customer airlines experience.
“We have literally just started trialling the new checkpoint and already we are getting positive feedback from our airport customers availing of the pre-clearance by the removal of a checkpoint. We are delighted to have been chosen to be part of the XP–DITE project team and would like to thank the Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport and the U.S Transportation Security Administration for their support in putting in place these enhanced arrangements.”
Mark van den Brink, XP-DITE Project Coordinator said: “Designing and evaluating airport checkpoints at system level gives the possibility to assess new approaches to airport security which could maintain a high level of security while improving the experience for passengers and reducing costs for operators.”
